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| Director General (DG) | Closing date: 2025-02-28
Contact: Vacancy |
| ESO operates world-class observing sites in northern Chile, including La Silla, Paranal, and Chajnantor (home to ALMA, in which ESO is a major partner). At Paranal, ESO runs the Very Large Telescope, one of the most advanced optical observatories globally, and is completing the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) on Cerro Armazones. The ELT, set to become "the world's biggest eye on the sky," will be fully integrated with Paranal operations. ESO is also a founding member of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO), the most sensitive high-energy gamma-ray observatory. | | ▸ more | At its Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is now seeking to appoint a new Director General (DG) as the current DG's term concludes in August 2026.
Key Responsibilities
ESO has achieved a decade of remarkable scientific, technical, and organisational success, including expanding to 16 Member States, partnering with Australia, and advancing the ELT project. The new DG will build on this foundation, leading ESO to maintain its position as a global leader in astronomy. Key responsibilities include:
* Managing ESO's diverse programme and completing the ELT project.
* Supporting operations and upgrades of the La Silla-Paranal Observatory, the instrumentation programme, and international collaborations with ALMA and CTA.
* Overseeing ESO's strategy, including the Expanding Horizons initiative, and maintaining balanced budgets.
* Sustaining ESO's excellence in science, technology, and productivity.
Experience and Skills required
The successful candidate will:
* Hold a PhD in astronomy or a related field, with recognised excellence in observational astronomy.
* Demonstrate a proven ability to develop and implement vision and strategy.
* Possess effective leadership and management experience within an international astronomical organisation or institute.
* Have expertise in leading large programmes, managing resources efficiently, and fostering a motivated workforce.
* Strong political and diplomatic skills are essential to maintaining and strengthening ESO's relationships with Member States, Chile, Australia, the international community, and key stakeholders. A commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and diversity is expected, alongside a focus on financial, environmental, and personnel resource management.
Language and contract details
Exceptional communication skills and fluency in English are essential, with knowledge of Spanish and / or German an asset. The position, based in Garching near Munich, is a full-time post with an initial fixed five-year term, renewable once for a set period subject to performance and organisational needs. The DG is expected to live in the general Munich area. Regular travel to Chile and other international locations is required.
ESO offers a competitive remuneration package, including pension, medical benefits, relocation support, and family-friendly policies. Detailed employment conditions are available at https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/
Application Process
Interested candidates should send a brief CV and letter of motivation to Fiona Brazil, ESO Head of Human Resources, at HOHR @ eso.org by Friday, 28 February 2025. General inquiries on the role may be directed to Professor Tom Ray, ESO Council President, at tr @ cp.dias.ie.
In-person interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held in early May, with final interviews scheduled for October. Applicants will participate in assessment activities during the selection process. The selected candidate is expected to join in the first half of 2026 for a handover period.
ESO values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates. Recruitment preference will be given to nationals of ESO Member States, Australia, and Chile.
For more information about ESO, please visit www.eso.org.
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